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McCullough still getting used to life with the Patriots

BRIDGEWATER – Brian McCullough still didn’t feel quite comfortable sitting in the Somerset Patriots’ dugout. He watched as the Road Warriors took batting practice, giving little waves and absorbing the occasional jab from his former teammates.

Though officially signed to the Patriots, McCullough had been with the Road Warriors until July 21. The guys out there on the field still felt like teammates, though he was still looking forward to facing them.

Except, perhaps, for the Road Warriors’ power-hitting first baseman Carlos Sosa, whose .331 average is tied for fourth in the Atlantic League.

Sosa hit a three-run homer in the top of the sixth, lifting the Road Warriors to a 4-2 victory over Somerset on Friday night. Patriots third baseman Jeff Nettles homered to left on a 1-1 pitch in the second inning.

“I wouldn’t say I don’t want to get called in,’’ said McCullough, a 6-foot right-hander who came on in relief right after Sosa’s homer. “I miss hanging out with those guys, but we all know the objective when we go on that team was to get here, and beyond. … I didn’t take it as a demotion. It’s a promotion to pitch against the best indie guys in the nation.’’

A sidearm pitcher in his fifth season of independent ball, McCullough was 2-2 with a 4.47 ERA in 30 games with the Road Warriors. He has pitched three innings for Somerset, allowing three hits and an earned run while striking out two and walking two in two games against Southern Maryland.

McCullough had been with the Patriots in spring training, but was assigned to the Road Warriors before the season started. He was recalled after pitcher Andrew Dobies was signed by the Kansas City Royals organization, Bill Pulsipher and Ryan Houston were placed on the disabled list, and Jason Cromer and Jason Anderson retired.

“We were really taxing the bullpen,’’ Patriots pitching coach Brett Jodie said. “We needed an arm, somebody who could come in and throw every day. He can. He tends to bounce back very well. … We needed a quality arm, and I know he has a quality arm.’’

McCullough matured during his six weeks on the road, tipping clubhouse attendants to do laundry and picking up mail at the various ballparks the team visited. His game improved as well, and he became more confident as he had more opportunities to pitch.

McCullough now faces more directly toward home plate as he delivers the ball, and is trying to dominate the inside corner.

“This is the most relaxed I’ve been, as far as my physical mechanics,’’ he said. “At this level, each pitch is huge … but I have the same goal, to get a chance with an affiliated team. One day, you’re playing in indie ball, and the next in the big leagues. It’s good to be able to get these guys out.’’

About Ryan Dunleavy

Ryan Dunleavy has covered Rutgers athletics for more than a decade, dating back to his days as a student at his alma mater. He became New Jersey Press Media’s Rutgers women’s basketball beat writer in 2009 and Rutgers football beat writer in 2013. Since joining the staff in 2004, the Morris County native also has covered the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Somerset Patriots and high school sports.